New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bub Means (ankle) said that he was cleared from his ankle injury in late January and is back to full speed as he prepares for his sophomore season in 2025. Means suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 8 and then had a setback that cost him the final nine games in the second half. The 24-year-old fifth-round pick (170th overall) caught nine of his 15 targets for 118 yards (13.1 yards per reception) and one touchdown in his seven games played (one start) in his first year in the NFL for the Saints. The Pittsburgh product emerged as an intriguing downfield threat for New Orleans in his rookie season and won't be hindered by his ankle this offseason as he prepares for what will hopefully be a bigger role in 2025. Means will most likely be a boom/bust receiver for fantasy purposes for a Saints team that still hasn't settled on a new head coach.
New Orleans Saints coach Darren Rizzi said wide receiver Bub Means (ankle) had a setback and probably won't return this season. Means filled in this season for a depleted wide receiver corps for the Saints and recorded nine catches for 118 yards and a touchdown. He will look to next season to recover and be back fully healthy. He never completely emerged as a fantasy-relevant option during his rookie year.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Bub Means Miss Another Practice
New Orleans Saints wide receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest, illness) and rookie Bub Means (ankle) missed practice for the second straight day this week on Friday. On top of a chest injury, Valdes-Scantling is now dealing with an illness, putting his status in question for the Monday night game at the Green Bay Packers in Week 16. Both MVS and Means will need to practice in some capacity on Saturday to avoid being ruled out entirely this week. Means hasn't played since Week 8 and remains on Injured Reserve, so he's almost certainly going to be ruled out. First-rounder Chris Olave (head) has resumed practicing but also remains on IR and is unlikely to play Monday. If Valdes-Scantling doesn't get cleared to play, the Saints will be down to Cedrick Wilson Jr., Kevin Austin Jr. and rookie Mason Tipton as their top three receivers. It's a situation to avoid in fantasy.
According to Matthew Paras of The Times-Picayune, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bub Means (ankle) has been ruled out for Week 15's match against the Washington Commanders. Means has been on the injured reserve since sustaining a high-ankle sprain during Week 8. Means opened the week as a limited participant but was then downgraded to a non-participant on Thursday and remained in that fashion on Friday. After not catching a pass over the first five weeks of the season, Means flashed some potential during Weeks 6 through 8 as he averaged an 8.9 PPR point per game and averaged just under 40.0 yards per game. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Marquez Valdes-Scantling to lead the wide receiver room, with Kevin Austin and Cedrick Wilson slotting behind him. Valdes-Scantling is worth a look in deeper formats, facing a Washington secondary that has allowed the 14th-most PPR points to opposing wideouts.
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bub Means (ankle) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. Means is currently in his 21-day practice window, which means he can practice with the team but would need to be activated from injured reserve before he can play in a game. Typically, teams are hesitant to activate players until they log multiple full practices in a row, but Means could potentially be an exception given how shorthanded the Saints are at wide receiver. If activated this week, Means would slot in as a starting receiver alongside Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Both pass-catchers lack fantasy appeal given significant uncertainty at the quarterback position.
New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said that rookie wide receiver Bub Means (ankle) will not play in Week 14 against the New York Giants on Sunday. Rizzi said the Saints knew that Means would be limited in his first week back from Injured Reserve this week, so it doesn't come as much of a surprise that they didn't feel he was ready to return to action. The 23-year-old has been on IR since Nov. 2 due to a high-ankle sprain he suffered in the Week 8 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Means was limited in practice on Wednesday before sitting out on Thursday and Friday, so it's possible he might have even encountered a setback with his ankle. There's no guarantee Means will be back in Week 15 against the Washington Commanders, and when he does return, he could struggle to find consistent targets.
Bub Means Downgrades To Non-Participation On Thursday
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bub Means (ankle) was downgraded to a non-participant during Thursday's practice, according to John Hendrix of Saints News Network. Means was placed on the injured reserve during the first week of November due to a high-ankle sprain. The 23-year-old returned to practice on Wednesdays as a limited participant. However, seeing his status already downgraded is not a positive sign regarding his availability for this weekend. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue to monitor his status on Friday, as he may be in danger of missing his fifth-straight contest. Before the injury, Means emerged as a starter in the passing attack, with both Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee) on the IR. During Weeks 6 through 8, Means brought in an average of 3.0 receptions per game. If Means cannot play on Sunday, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Kevin Austin will likely sit at the top of the depth chart.
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bub Means (ankle) was a limited participant in his return to practice. The rookie wideout made his first appearance at practice since injuring his ankle in Week 8's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. It's a step in the right direction for the 23-year-old, who has a chance to be activated from injured reserve if he can enhance his practice status over the next few days. For now, New Orleans will continue to deploy Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kevin Austin Jr., and Cedrick Wilson Jr. as their top three pass-catchers. It's unclear which of those three wideouts will have their playing time cut upon Means' return, though MVS and Austin Jr. project to be the most likely.
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bub Means (ankle) and running back Kendre Miller (hamstring) have been placed on the injured reserve on Saturday. The Saints are going to be thin on depth as the injuries keep piling up on them. The absence of Means should give Marquez Valdes-Scantling more snaps, but fantasy managers shouldn't trust him as a reliable option. Miller has missed most of the season, but returned for each of the last two games. Now, Alvin Kamara should see a heavy workload with Miller out and Jamaal Williams (groin) doubtful to play. Kamara should be an elite fantasy option against the below average Carolina Panthers defense.
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bub Means (ankle) has reportedly picked up a high-ankle sprain and will "miss time," per Rod Walker of The New Orleans Advocate. Ouch. It's yet another ailment afflicting a Saints' offensive player as the injuries continue to pile up for them. The amount of time he'll miss is unclear, but one has to assume it will be at least a couple of weeks before he returns to action. With quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) projected to return to practice this week, New Orleans' offense is trending positively. Still, it appears they'll be without another one of their skill players for at least a short while. Wide receivers Mason Tipton and Equanimeous St. Brown figure to pick up more snaps, while newly acquired Marquez Valdes-Scantling could be pushed into action sooner than initially anticipated.
